San Francisco’s surprisingly difficult quest to turn a century-old highway into a park

At the end of that stretch, you hit the Great Highway, where cars and trucks and motorcycles are prohibited. Now this is where the real change happens — people are out on bikes, rollerblades, and skateboards. Families with strollers take leisurely walks, and kids play in the sand. It’s a vibrant scene, a stark contrast to the usual traffic congestion and noise that used to dominate this strip of road.

The closure of the Great Highway on weekends and holidays was initially met with skepticism. Many wondered if it would really make a difference in how people got around. But the lived example showed that when you make space for pedestrians and cyclists, people actually do change the way they move. They embrace active transportation, enjoying the fresh air and the freedom of movement that comes with it.

As the debate rages on about whether to make the closure permanent, the community is divided. Opponents argue that shutting down a 2-mile stretch of the Great Highway would disrupt traffic patterns and hurt local businesses. They fear that residents of the Richmond and Sunset districts would face longer commute times and increased congestion. The impact on the VA Medical Center and other essential services is also a concern.

Proponents, on the other hand, see a park along the Great Highway as a boon for the neighborhood. They envision playgrounds, art installations, and community spaces that would draw more visitors to Ocean Beach. They point to the health benefits of active transportation and the positive impact on property values for homeowners living along the closed road.

The future of the Great Highway remains uncertain, with the November election looming large. The decision will ultimately rest in the hands of the voters, who will determine whether to embrace a car-free vision for this iconic stretch of road. Whatever the outcome, one thing is clear: the real, lived example of the Great Highway closure has already shown that when you make space for pedestrians and cyclists, people will change the way they get around. Prop K in San Francisco aims to create a Great Highway park that would connect Golden Gate Park and Lake Merced, providing 2,000 acres of contiguous public space. This would allow residents and visitors to enjoy car-free streets and protected bike lanes, promoting a healthier and more sustainable mode of transportation. Researchers suggest that improving infrastructure for cycling can lead to a significant reduction in carbon emissions, as more people choose to bike instead of drive.

Cities like New York City and Washington, D.C. have seen a surge in bicycle commuting due to better infrastructure and bike-share programs. The growing popularity of e-bikes has also made cycling more accessible to a wider range of people, leading to a significant increase in bike-related spending in the United States. This trend towards cycling can have a positive impact on reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality in urban areas.

The history of San Francisco’s urban development highlights the impact of freeways on city neighborhoods. The construction of the Embarcadero Freeway in the 1950s divided communities and created pollution, but its removal after the Loma Prieta earthquake led to a revitalization of the area. Other cities like Rochester and Portland have similarly removed freeways to create more pedestrian-friendly spaces and promote economic development.

Closing roads to cars and creating spaces for people can lead to positive outcomes, as seen in cities like Milwaukee and New York City. While there may be initial resistance to such changes, the long-term benefits, such as increased safety for pedestrians and cyclists, reduced traffic congestion, and economic growth, are clear. Research shows that removing road capacity can actually lead to a decrease in car trips and improve overall travel patterns in cities. The plan involves removing the asphalt and letting the land revert to its natural state, with dunes and vegetation that can absorb storm surges. This approach acknowledges that nature is better equipped to handle the challenges posed by a changing climate than human-made structures.

Overall, the debate over the Great Highway in San Francisco reflects a larger conversation about the role of cars in urban environments. While cars have long been seen as a symbol of prosperity and freedom in American society, the costs associated with car-centric infrastructure are becoming increasingly clear. From the economic burden on households to the environmental impacts on coastal cities, the true cost of prioritizing cars over other forms of transportation is becoming harder to ignore.

As cities grapple with the challenges of climate change and rising sea levels, it is clear that a new approach to urban planning is needed. Embracing public transit, walking, and cycling as viable alternatives to car travel can not only reduce the economic burden on households but also create more resilient and sustainable cities. By reimagining the role of cars in urban environments and investing in public transportation, cities can better respond to the changing needs of their residents and protect their communities from the impacts of climate change. The mile-long section of the Great Highway that runs along the San Francisco Zoo is set to be closed by early 2026. This closure is necessary to protect a nearby wastewater treatment facility from coastal erosion and to restore the dunes in the area as a buffer against sea level rise. Engineers plan to replace the road with multiuse trails and a beachfront plaza, creating a more sustainable and resilient environment.

Already, a portion of the Great Highway has been closed off, and the proposed closure of the additional section is part of an effort to address the challenges posed by climate change. A recent report from city agencies estimates that rerouting traffic during peak hours adds around three minutes of driving time. While opponents of the closure argue that the traffic diversion leads to increased congestion on smaller side streets, supporters point out that the decrease in daily traffic on the Great Highway is significant.

The closure of the Great Highway has also led to an increase in foot traffic on weekends, with hundreds of thousands of visitors enjoying the area for recreational activities. Community events and fun runs have drawn large crowds, highlighting the potential for the space to be repurposed for public use. The pandemic has shown that people can adapt to changes in how they move around, making the transition to a car-free environment more feasible.

Regardless of the outcome of Prop K, San Francisco must address the ongoing erosion of Ocean Beach and the impact of rising sea levels. Suggestions from experts include transplanting native grasses into the dunes to stabilize the sand, as well as keeping people off the dunes to prevent trampling that could lead to blowouts. These measures can help protect the area even if the Great Highway remains open.

Supporters of Prop K see the closure of the highway as an opportunity to create a more flexible space that integrates the natural landscape with human infrastructure. By allowing the dunes to expand inland and promoting the growth of native plants, the area can become a more sustainable and resilient environment. The potential for art installations and recreational amenities in a 2-mile-long park presents an exciting vision for the future of the Great Highway.

As San Francisco faces the challenges of rising sea levels and coastal erosion, the closure of the Great Highway represents a step towards creating a more sustainable and resilient coastline. Whether the road remains open to cars or is transformed into a park, the priority is to protect the natural environment and adapt to the changing climate. The decision on the future of the Great Highway will shape the city’s response to the impacts of climate change for years to come. In recent years, the global economy has been experiencing significant shifts and changes due to various factors such as technological advancements, geopolitical events, and changing consumer preferences. As a result, businesses around the world have been forced to adapt and evolve in order to stay competitive and relevant in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing market.

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